Electrically isolated coupling

ABSTRACT

An electrically isolated coupler may include a driven body, a drive body and an insulating member. The drive body is made of first metallic material and has a driven end configured to interface with a fastening component. The driven body includes a first interface portion and the drive body includes a second interface portion. The drive body is made of a second metallic material and has a drive end configured to interface with a driving tool. The insulating member is disposed between the drive body and the driven body to electrically isolate the drive body and the driven body from each. The first interface portion includes at least one axially extending portion that extends toward the drive body, and the second interface portion includes at least one axially extending portion that extends toward the driven body. The insulating member is disposed between the respective at least one axially extending portions of the first and second interface portions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.62/500,107 filed May 2, 2017, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to driving devices such as sockettools, bit holders and other fastener driving components. In particular,example embodiments relate to a electrically isolated coupling that canbe used with such driving components to enable safe use in environmentswhere work occurs around electrically charged components.

BACKGROUND

Socket tools, such as socket wrenches, are familiar tools for fasteningnuts and other drivable components or fasteners. The sockets of thesetools are generally removable heads that interface with the socketwrench on one side and interface with one of various different sizes ofnut or other fastener on the other side. Because high torque is oftenapplied through these tools, and high strength and durability isdesirable, the sockets are traditionally made of a metallic materialsuch as iron or steel. However, metallic materials can also corrode orcreate spark or shock hazards when used around electrically poweredequipment.

Although it may be possible to coat a metallic socket in a material thatis non-conductive, such material is typically not suitable for coverageof either the driving end of the socket (i.e., the end that interfaceswith the wrench) or the driven end of the socket (i.e., the end thatinterfaces with the nut or other fastener being tightened by the socketwrench) directly contacting the driving tool or fastener. In thisregard, the high torque and repeated contact with metallic componentswould tend to wear such materials away over time and degrade theperformance of the tool. Thus, it is most likely that the ends of thesocket directly contacting the driving tool or fastener would remain (orrevert to) exposed metallic surfaces resulting in the socket potentiallyconducting electricity and becoming a shock or spark hazard.

Accordingly, a number of designs had been provided for electricalisolation of sockets. However, these designs typically apply to anindividual socket. Thus, each and every different socket size and shapewould need to be reproduced according to the isolation techniquesemployed. Existing socket sets and other driving tools for fastenerswould have to be replaced, potentially at substantial cost. Moreover,many conventional isolation designs simply provide an isolation materialbetween opposing metal portions of the drive and driven ends. Thisprovides a weak point where the isolation material is unsupported andcan fail under high torque loads.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

Some example embodiments may enable the provision of a coupling devicethat includes a driven end and driving end that are electricallyisolated. The coupling device may be used as an adaptor for driving anyselected socket, bit holder, and/or the like, even if such socket/bitholder is not electrically isolated. Given that the coupling deviceemploys electrical isolation, existing (non-electrically isolated)fastener driving components can be used in proximity to electricalcomponents based on the isolation provided by the coupling device.Moreover, each of the driven end and the driving end may be formed ofseparate metallic bodies that are electrically isolated from each other,but still overlap each other (without physical contact) substantially inan axial direction. The isolation member disposed between them istherefore mutually supported by portions of both the driven end and thedriving end to increase the capability of the coupling device to operateand handle very large torque loads.

In an example embodiment, an electrically isolated coupler is provided.The coupler may include a driven body, a drive body and an insulatingmember. The drive body is made of first metallic material and has adriven end configured to interface with a fastening component. Thedriven body includes a first interface portion and the drive bodyincludes a second interface portion. The drive body is made of a secondmetallic material and has a drive end configured to interface with adriving tool. The insulating member is disposed between the drive bodyand the driven body to electrically isolate the drive body and thedriven body from each. The first interface portion includes at least oneaxially extending portion that extends toward the drive body, and thesecond interface portion includes at least one axially extending portionthat extends toward the driven body. The insulating member is disposedbetween the respective at least one axially extending portions of thefirst and second interface portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is an exploded rear perspective view of an electrically isolatedcoupler according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 1B is an exploded front perspective view of an electricallyisolated coupler according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the electrically isolated couplerassembled with a sleeve member removed according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 1D shows the same perspective view of the electrically isolatedcoupler of FIG. 1C with the sleeve member attached according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an alternative assembledstructure of an electrically isolated coupler according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2B is an assembled side view of the electrically isolated couplerof FIG. 2A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3, which is defined by FIGS. 3A, 3B. 3C, 3D and 3E, illustrates across section view along the longitudinal axis of various differentpatterns for interface portions according to example embodiments;

FIG. 4, which is defined by FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrates two differentsocket sizes that may be accommodated according to an exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 5, which is defined by FIGS. 5A and 5B, illustrates a perspectiveside view of an electrically isolated coupler with some optionalfeatures according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6, which is defined by FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrates a perspectiveside view of drive bodies with alternative features according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bit holder having interface portions according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 8, which is defined by FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrates how variouscomponents can be arranged to prepare for molding of the insulatingmember according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example that includes structural features toprevent axial separation of components according to an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather,these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” isto be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true wheneverone or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable couplingshould be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, ineither case, enables functional interconnection of components that areoperably coupled to each other.

As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provisionof electrically isolated fastener driving tools that can be used inproximity to powered components or components that have an electricalcharge. In some cases, the user can safely work on or around suchcomponents or systems without having to de-energize the system. Theelectrical isolation provided may eliminate the risk of surge currentstraveling from a fastener to a socket tool, bit driver or other fastenerdriving tool (such as a socket wrench or a power tool that drivessockets, bits, etc.). Particularly for power tools that includeelectronic components that log data about power tool usage, the isolatedcoupling of example embodiments can protect valuable computer data suchas recorded torque information on fasteners and run-down count historyfor estimating power tool life.

FIG. 1, which is defined by FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, illustrates variousperspective views of an electrically isolated coupler (or adaptor) 100according to an example embodiment. In this regard, FIGS. 1A and 1B areexploded views from rear and front perspectives, respectively. FIG. 1Cis a perspective view of the electrically isolated coupler 100 assembledwith a sleeve member removed, and FIG. 1D shows the same perspectiveview of the electrically isolated coupler 100 with the sleeve memberattached.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electrically isolated coupler 100 may include adriven body 110 and a drive body 120. The driven body 110 is referred toas “driven” because it is driven by the drive body 120 to interface witha socket, bit holder or other component that interacts with a fastenerto drive the corresponding component for fastening purposes. The drivebody 120 obtains the “drive” adjective because it is operably coupled toa tool that operably couples therewith to drive the electricallyisolated coupler 100. The driven body 110 and drive body 120 may notcontact each other, but may be oriented such that a driven end 112 ofthe driven body 110 and a drive end 122 of the drive body 120 face inopposite directions. Axial centerlines of each of the driven body 110and the drive body 120 are aligned with each other and with alongitudinal centerline of the socket 100.

The driven body 110 may include an interface portion 114, which faces aninterface portion 124 of the drive body 120. As such, the interfaceportions 114 and 124 may be proximate to each other, but spaced apartfrom each other. The interface portions 114 and 124 may be considered tobe “proximal ends” of the driven body 110 and drive body 120,respectively, since they are proximate to each other. The driven end 112and the drive end 122 may therefore be considered to be “distal ends”since that are distally located relative to each other.

In an example embodiment, both the driven body 110 and the drive body120 may be made of metallic material (e.g., stainless steel, or otherrigid and durable alloys). By making the driven body 110 and drive body120 of metallic material (e.g., the same or different metals), thedriven body 110 and drive body 120 may each be very durable and able towithstand large amounts of force, torque and/or impact. However, inorder to provide insulation between the driven body 110 and the drivebody 120, a non-metallic and insulating material (e.g., insulatingmember 130) may be inserted therebetween to render the driven body 110and drive body 120 electrically isolated from each other. Thus, althoughthe advantages of using metallic material are provided with respect tothe interfacing portions of the electrically isolated coupler 100, thedisadvantages relative to use in proximity to electrically powered orcharged components may be avoided.

In some embodiments, a sleeve 140 may be provided to extend around theradial edges of the driven body 110 and the drive body 120. The sleeve140 may be generally cylindrical in shape, and may be made ofsubstantially the same material as the insulating member 130. Moreover,although the insulating member 130 and the sleeve 140 could be separatecomponents, in some cases, the insulating member 130 and the sleeve 140could be integrally formed with each other. In such an example, theinsulating member 130 and the sleeve 140 may be formed by molding.

In this regard, for example, the interface portion 114 of the drivenbody 110 may be provided spaced apart from the interface portion 124 ofthe drive body 120 and the insulating member 130 may be moldedtherebetween. In some cases, the molding process itself maysubstantially hold the interface portion 114 of the driven body 110 andthe interface portion 124 of the drive body 120 together. However, inother examples, structural features may be provided on the interfaceportion 114 of the driven body 110 and/or the interface portion 124 ofthe drive body 120 to further facilitate retention of the entireassembly in contact with each other. When the sleeve 140 is also molded(or over-molded) with the insulating member 130, the sleeve 140 mayfurther facilitate holding the entire assembly together. Although ends(e.g., the driven end 112 and the drive end 122) could be over-molded aswell in some cases, in other examples metal may be exposed at both thedriven end 112 and the drive end 122. Moreover, in some cases, thesleeve 140 may extend along the sides of the driven body 110 and thedrive body 120 to be flush with the driven end 112 and the drive end122, respectively.

In an example embodiment, the insulating member 130 and/or the sleeve140 may be formed from a high strength molding compound, which may beglass-fiber reinforced and/or a plastic composite material. Theinsulating member 130 and/or the sleeve 140 may have a relatively smallthickness to avoid excessive increases in the size of the electricallyisolated coupler 100. In this regard, for example, thicknesses couldrange from 1/32 of an inch to ¼ of an inch, with actual thicknessesbeing determined based on the actual intended uses of the electricallyisolated coupler 100.

In the example of FIG. 1, the diameter of both the driven body 110 andthe drive body 120 are substantially equal, and this may be the case inmost situation. However, the diameters of each could be different insome cases. In such a case, the insulating member 130 and/or the sleeve140 may be molded to accommodate for a smooth transition between thedifferent diameters. In cases in which the driven body 110 and the drivebody 120 have substantially similar diameters, the diameter of theinsulating member 130 may also be substantially equal to the diametersof each of the driven body 110 and the drive body 120.

A driven mating structure 116 may be provided on the driven end 112 tointerface with a socket, bit holder or other fastener driving device.Meanwhile, a drive mating structure 126 may be provided at the drive end122. In the example of FIG. 1, the driven mating structure 116 is a maledriving projection, and the drive mating structure 126 is a female driveopening configured to receive a male driving projection (e.g., similarto the male driving projection of the driven mating structure 116).Thus, the driven mating structure 116 effectively simply allows aconventional socket wrench to be used with a conventional socket whileproviding insulation properties to enable the combination to be usedproximate to electronic circuitry.

The sizes and shapes of the driven mating structure 116 and the drivemating structure 126 may vary in different embodiments. Moreover, suchcomponents may be interchangeable with each other via being configuredto have common interface portions (114 and 124). Thus, for example, thedrive side or the driven side could be changed to accommodate ⅜ inch, ¼inch, ½ inch, and/or various other desirable sizes and configurationsfor the driven mating structure 116 and the drive mating structure 126.

In an example embodiment, the interface portion 114 of the driven body110 and the interface portion 124 of the drive body 120 may take variousdifferent forms. In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the interfaceportion 124 of the drive body 120 includes a base portion 150 and fourwing portions 152 to define a pattern. The wing portions 152 extendradially away from corners of the base portion 150, as the base portionis generally square shaped (e.g., to match the shape of the drive matingstructure 126). Both the base portion 150 and the wing portions 152 alsoextend in the axial direction away from the drive end 122.

The interface portion 114 of the driven body 110 includes fourprotruding members 160 that are evenly spaced apart to form receivingslots 162 therebetween. The protruding members 160 generally correspondto the areas between the wing portions 152, and the receiving slots 162generally correspond to the wing portions 152 themselves. However, theprotruding members 160 are not shaped to mate directly with the baseportion 150 and/or the wing portions 152. In other words, the protrudingmembers 160 and receiving slots 162 do not match and therefore do notmate with the pattern formed by the base portion 150 and the wingportions 152. Instead, the interface portion 114 of the driven body 110and the interface portion 124 of the drive body 120 are each formed tointerface with respective opposing sides of the insulating member 130,which matches the pattern of the base portion 150 and the wing portions152, and also fits tightly into the receiving slots 162 between theprotruding members 160 of the driven body 160.

Accordingly, the insulating member 130 is formed to substantially matchthe pattern formed by the base portion 150 and wing portions 152 inorder to mate therewith. In this example, the insulating member 130includes axially extending portions 132 that separate the base portion150 and wing portions 152 from each other along their parallel extendingfaces that extend in the axial direction. The insulating member 130 alsoincludes radially extending portions 134 and 136 that generally extendin a radial direction to separate parallel faces of distal ends of theprotruding members 160 from corresponding portions of the drive body 120and separate parallel faces of distal ends of the base portion 150 andthe wing portions 152 from corresponding portions of the driven body110.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the insulating member 130 separatesthe interface portion 114 of the driven body 110 and the interfaceportion 124 of the drive body 120 from each other in both radial andaxial directions to provide a complete electrical isolationtherebetween. However, the insulating member 130 is also providedbetween axially extending faces of each of the interface portion 114 ofthe driven body 110 and the interface portion 124 of the drive body 120to allow such faces to apply torque to both sides of the insulatingmember 130 between such faces. Accordingly, there is no axiallyextending portion of the insulating member 130 that is not supported onopposing sides thereof by respective ones of the interface portion 114of the driven body 110 and the interface portion 124 of the drive body120. Additionally, there is no cross section of the electricallyisolated coupler 100 that could be taken anywhere along the axial lengthof the electrically isolated coupler 100 that would include only thematerial of the insulating member 130. As such, no weak point exists atwhich the material of the insulating member 130 alone could fail todamage or destroy the electrically isolated coupler 100. The strength ofthe electrically isolated coupler 100 is therefore not compromised,while full electrical isolation is still provided.

The design of FIG. 1 provides a relatively compact length for theelectrically isolated coupler 100, since the base portion 150, whichforms the drive mating structure 126 is actually incorporated intointerface portion 124 of the drive body 120. However, it is alsopossible to separate the drive mating structure 126 from the interfaceportion 124 by altering the design somewhat. Similarly, differentspecific structures could be used for the interface portions. FIG. 2illustrates such an example that makes both of these modifications.

FIG. 2, which is defined by FIGS. 2A and 2B, shows an alternative designfor an electrically isolated coupler 200. FIG. 2A is an explodedperspective view, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the assembled structureof FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrically isolated coupler 200may include a driven body 210 and a drive body 220. The driven body 210and drive body 220 do not contact each other due to the presence ofinsulating member 230 therebetween. The insulating member 230 fitsbetween an interface portion 214 of the driven body 210 and an interfaceportion 224 of the drive body 220.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a drive mating structure 226 of the drive body220 is provided at a separate axially extended portion of the drive body220 from the interface portion 224. Although the overall length of theelectrically isolated coupler 200 may be increased due to this design,it should be noted that the removal of the drive mating structure 226from the interface portion 224 creates the opportunity for increaseddesign flexibility relative to the structure of the interface portion224 and the insulating member 230.

In the example of FIG. 2, the interface portion 214 of the driven body210 and the interface portion 224 of the drive body 220 substantiallymirror each other. In this regard, the interface portion 214 of thedriven body 210 is defined by protruding members 250 that aresubstantially shaped as two axially extending quarter circles inopposite quadrants. Meanwhile, the interface portion 224 of the drivebody 220 is also defined by protruding members 260 that aresubstantially shaped as two axially extending quarter circles inopposite quadrants. Moreover, the protruding members 250 of theinterface portion 214 of the driven body 210 are in opposing quadrantsrelative to the protruding members 260 of the interface portion 224 ofthe drive body 220.

As in the prior example, the insulating member 230 separates theinterface portion 214 of the driven body 210 and the interface portion224 of the drive body 220 from each other in both radial and axialdirections to provide a complete electrical isolation therebetween.However, the insulating member 230 is also provided between axiallyextending faces of each of the interface portion 214 of the driven body210 and the interface portion 224 of the drive body 220 to allow suchfaces to apply torque to both sides of the insulating member 230 betweensuch faces. Accordingly, there is again no axially extending portion ofthe insulating member 230 that is not supported on opposing sidesthereof by respective ones of the interface portion 214 of the drivenbody 210 and the interface portion 224 of the drive body 220.Additionally, there is no cross section of the electrically isolatedcoupler 200 that could be taken anywhere along the axial length of theelectrically isolated coupler 200 that would include only the materialof the insulating member 230. As such, no weak point exists at which thematerial of the insulating member 230 alone could fail to damage ordestroy the electrically isolated coupler 200.

In the example of FIG. 2, the insulating member 230 includes axiallyextending portions 232 that separate the protruding members 250 and 260from each other along their parallel extending faces that extend in theaxial direction. The insulating member 230 also includes radiallyextending portions 234 and 236 that generally extend in a radialdirection to separate parallel faces of distal ends of the protrudingmembers 250 and 260 from corresponding portions of the drive body 220and the driven body 210, respectively.

A number of different designs may be included for the insulating member,but all such designs would generally provide that any cross sectionthrough the axially extending portions of the insulating member wouldinclude portions of both the interface portion of the driven body andthe interface portion of the drive body on opposing sides thereof. FIG.3, which is defined by FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E, includes someexamples. In this regard, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates examples in whichthe drive mating structure is part of the interface portion, and FIGS.3C, 3D and 3E illustrate examples in which the drive mating structure isnot incorporated as a part of the interface portion.

In FIG. 3, portions of the cross sectional views that correlate to theinsulating member are labeled as insulating material 300. Portions thatcorrespond to the driven body are labeled as driven body material 310,and portions that correspond to the drive body are labeled as drive bodymaterial 320. As can be seen from FIG. 3, various patterns may beachieved for the interface portions and for the insulating member.However, as described above, overlapping portions of the interfaceportions that extend along the axial direction of the isolated couplingare always separated by the insulating member. Of note, the design ofFIG. 3A generally corresponds to a cross section of the electricallyisolated coupler 200 of FIG. 2 and the design of FIG. 3B generallycorresponds to a cross section of the electrically isolated coupler 100of FIG. 1.

Although the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 generally correspond to anelectrically isolated coupler that acts as an adapter to receive a maledrive square at one end (i.e., the drive end) and convert to an isolatedmale drive square at the other end (i.e., at the driven end), otherstructures are also possible. In this regard, for example, the drivenbody 110 could be replaced with an alternate driven body 110′ that has adriven mating structure 116′ formed as a socket of any desirable size asshown in FIG. 3A. The alternate driven body 110′ may have the sameinterface portion (i.e., interface portion 114) that is shown in theexample of FIG. 1. Thus, the drive body 120 and the insulating member130 may also be the same as the example of FIG. 1.

In some cases, alternative socket sizes (e.g., like driven matingstructure 116″) could be provided with a corresponding different drivenbody 110″. The different driven body 110″ may also have the sameinterface portion (i.e., interface portion 114) that is shown in theexample of FIG. 1. Thus, the drive body 120 and the insulating member130 of the example of FIG. 1 may also be used with the different drivenbody 110″ and any of a number of other possible driven body structuresOf course, the drive body 120 could also be substituted for otherstructures.

FIG. 5, which is defined by FIGS. 5A and 5B, shows an example with thesame interface portions as shown in FIG. 1, but the drive body anddriven body each include other modifications. For example, in FIG. 5A,the driven body 400 tapers toward the driven end 402, meanwhile thedrive body 410 includes an annular groove 414 disposed proximate to thedrive end 412. The annular groove 414 may further include a through-hole416 to receive a ball disposed at a side portion of a male driveinterface. However, the interface portions (114 and 124) may otherwisebe the same as shown in the example of FIG. 1 (or any other example).Thus, the insulating member 430 may also be the same as the insulatingmember 130 of the example of FIG. 1.

A sleeve 440 may be molded around the entire assembly as shown in FIG.5B. Although the sleeve 440 could be molded together with the insulatingmember 430 as described above, some embodiments may alternatively formthe sleeve 430 as a freely rotating cover. For example, the sleeve 440could be molded as a separate component that can be slid over the drivebody 410 and the driven body 400 and held in place by an annularprojection 442 that may project into the annular groove 414. The annularprojection 442 and the annular groove 414 may generally prevent axialmovement of the sleeve 440 while fully permitting rotation of the sleeve440.

FIG. 6, which is defined by FIGS. 6A and 6B, includes two othermodifications. In this regard, the drive body 520 of FIG. 6A includes anannular groove 522 and through-hole 524, but is otherwise similar to thedrive body 120 of FIG. 1. The drive body 620 of FIG. 6B is similar tothat of FIG. 6A except that rounded transitions are provided between thewing portions 624 and the base portion 626.

Referring to FIG. 7, a bit holder 700 is shown having a driven body 710and a drive body 720 that are separated from each other by an insulatingmember 730. Although the driven body 710 includes a socket in thisexample, and the drive body 720 includes a hex portion for engaging achuck of a drill or another driving structure, the interface portions714 and 724 are otherwise similar to the example of FIG. 2. Thus, otherthan differences in diameter, the insulating member 730 may otherwise besimilar to the insulating member 230 of the example of FIG. 2. Otherpatterns for the interface portions may also be employed such as, forexample, those shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8, which is defined by FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrates how variouscomponents can be arranged to prepare for molding of the insulatingmember. In this regard, FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of the interfaceportion of a drive body 820 according an example embodiment. The drivebody 820 includes radial wings 824 extending away from a base portion822 that is built around the drive mating structure 826. FIG. 8Cillustrates a to view of a driven end of a driven body 810 according toan example embodiment. In FIG. 8C, components of the interface portionof the driven body 810 (i.e., protrusions 812) are shown as dashedsquares since they project in the direction into the page for this view.The driven body 810 may further include a driven mating structure 816including a ball 818 that is outwardly biased.

The protrusions 812 may be provided into spaces between the radial wings824 while the drive body 820 and driven body 810 are axially aligned. Agap 830 may be formed between the drive body 820 and driven body 810after they area axially aligned. Thereafter, insulating material may bemolded into the gap 830 to define the insulating member.

As discussed above, the molding process may work to axially bind thedrive body and the driven body. However, in some cases, structuralfeatures may be provided on the interface portions of either or both ofthe driven body and the drive body to further facilitate retention ofthe entire assembly in contact with each other. FIG. 9 illustrates anexample that includes such structural features, showing a cross sectiontaken along the longitudinal axis.

As shown in FIG. 9, a drive body 920 and driven body 910 may beseparated from each other by an insulating member 930 in the mannergenerally described above. However, the interface portion of the drivenbody 910 may include at least one recessed portion 912 (e.g., a grooveor void space). Additionally or alternatively, the interface portion ofthe drive body 920 may include at least one recessed portion 922. Eachrecessed portion 912 and 922 may be filled with insulating materialduring the molding of the insulating member 930. Although not required,the recessed portions 912 and 922 may be positioned to correspond toeach other to create an annular binding portion 932 if both suchrecessed portions are annular in shape themselves. The binding portion932 may resist separation forces that may try to separate the drive body920 and driven body 910 axially.

Alternatively or additionally, a sleeve 940 formed over the drive body920 and the driven body 910 after assembly may also include bindingfeatures. In this regard, for example, the drive body 920 may be beveledto provide a feature (e.g., beveled edge 924) that, when the sleeve 940is over-molded onto the drive body 920, provides an overlap portion 936to engage the beveled edge 924 to prevent movement of the drive body 920away from the driven body 910. Likewise, the driven body 910 may bebeveled to provide a feature (e.g., beveled edge 914) that, when thesleeve 940 is over-molded onto the driven body 910, provides an overlapportion 934 to engage the beveled edge 914 to prevent movement of thedriven body 910 away from the drive body 920.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions toproblems are described herein, it should be appreciated that suchadvantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some exampleembodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, anyadvantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thoughtof as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or tothat which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. An electrically isolated coupler comprising: adriven body made of first metallic material and having a driven endconfigured to interface with a fastening component, the driven bodycomprising a first interface portion; a drive body made of a secondmetallic material and having a drive end configured to interface with adriving tool, the drive body comprising a second interface portion; andan insulating member disposed between the drive body and the driven bodyto electrically isolate the drive body and the driven body from eachother, wherein the first interface portion includes at least one axiallyextending portion that extends toward the drive body, and the secondinterface portion includes at least one axially extending portion thatextends toward the driven body, wherein the insulating member isdisposed between the respective at least one axially extending portionsof the first and second interface portions, wherein a sleeve is disposedaround radial edges of the drive body, the driven body and theinsulating member, and wherein the sleeve is rotatable relative to thedrive body and the driven body.
 2. The electrically isolated coupler ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises an overlap portion disposed toengage a beveled edge provided on the drive body or the driven body toprevent axial separation of the drive body from the driven body.
 3. Theelectrically isolated coupler of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes aninwardly facing annular projection, and the drive body includes anannular groove, the annular projection being operably coupled to theannular groove to enable the sleeve to rotate relative to the drive bodyand the driven body.
 4. The electrically isolated coupler of claim 1,wherein the driven body is tapered toward a driven end of the drivenbody.
 5. The electrically isolated coupler of claim 1, wherein thedriven body comprises a socket of a predetermined size.
 6. Theelectrically isolated coupler of claim 1, wherein the drive body furthercomprises an annular groove disposed proximate to the drive end.
 7. Theelectrically isolated coupler of claim 6, wherein the annular grooveincludes a through-hole.
 8. The electrically isolated coupler of claim1, wherein the electrically isolated coupler comprises a bit holder. 9.The electrically isolated coupler of claim 1, wherein the drive bodydefines a pattern and the insulating member is molded to fit the patternbetween the drive body and corresponding axially extending portions ofthe driven body.
 10. The electrically isolated coupler of claim 1,wherein the second interface portion extends at least partially around adrive mating structure of the drive body.
 11. An electrically isolatedcoupler comprising: a driven body made of first metallic material andhaving a driven end configured to interface with a fastening component,the driven body comprising a first interface portion; a drive body madeof a second metallic material and having a drive end configured tointerface with a driving tool, the drive body comprising a secondinterface portion; and an insulating member disposed between the drivebody and the driven body to electrically isolate the drive body and thedriven body from each other, wherein the first interface portionincludes at least one axially extending portion that extends toward thedrive body, and the second interface portion includes at least oneaxially extending portion that extends toward the driven body, whereinthe insulating member is disposed between the respective at least oneaxially extending portions of the first and second interface portions,wherein the insulating member comprises a binding portion disposed toextend into a portion of the drive body or the driven body to preventaxial separation of the drive body from the driven body, and whereinbinding portion has an annular shape due to the provision of an annulargroove at the first interface portion or the second interface portion.12. The electrically isolated coupler of claim 11, wherein the secondinterface portion extends at least partially around a drive matingstructure of the drive body.
 13. An electrically isolated couplercomprising: a driven body made of first metallic material and having adriven end configured to interface with a fastening component, thedriven body comprising a first interface portion; a drive body made of asecond metallic material and having a drive end configured to interfacewith a driving tool, the drive body comprising a second interfaceportion; and an insulating member disposed between the drive body andthe driven body to electrically isolate the drive body and the drivenbody from each other, wherein the first interface portion includes atleast one axially extending portion that extends toward the drive body,and the second interface portion includes at least one axially extendingportion that extends toward the driven body, and wherein the insulatingmember is disposed between the respective at least one axially extendingportions of the first and second interface portions, wherein the drivebody defines a pattern and the insulating member is configured to fitthe pattern between the drive body and corresponding axially extendingportions of the driven body, and wherein a sleeve is disposed to berotatable relative to the drive body and the driven body.
 14. Theelectrically isolated coupler of claim 13, wherein a driven matingstructure is disposed at the driven end to interface with a socket, bitholder or other fastener driving device.
 15. The electrically isolatedcoupler of claim 14, wherein the driven mating structure comprises amale driving projection.
 16. The electrically isolated coupler of claim15, wherein a drive mating structure is disposed at the drive end. 17.The electrically isolated coupler of claim 16, wherein the drive matingstructure is a female drive opening configured to receive a projectionhaving a shape similar to the male driving projection.
 18. Theelectrically isolated coupler of claim 13, wherein the insulating membercomprises one or more axially extending portions that separate theaxially extending portions of the driven body from the axially extendingportions of the drive body.
 19. The electrically isolated coupler ofclaim 13, wherein the insulating member further comprises radiallyextending portions at opposing axial ends of the insulating member, theradially extending portions separating parallel faces of a distal end ofthe axially extending portions of the driven body and the drive bodyfrom corresponding portions of the drive body the driven body,respectively.
 20. The electrically isolated coupler of claim 13, whereinthe sleeve is disposed around radial edges of the drive body, the drivenbody and the insulating member.